Surgical binder and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A binder for application of pressure to the wound area of a patient who has undergone a mastectomy or other type of chest surgery. The binder includes an elasticized main body portion formed from a fabric that is substantially nonelastic, yet breathable, with gathering, elastic stitching therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a binder for use after surgery,and more particularly, to a binder for securing a bandage or dressingover the torso, particularly the chest area, of a person. After asurgical breast procedure, such as a mastectomy, or other chest surgery,it is necessary for the patient to wear a bandage or dressing over thewound area, which is typically changed once per day. Because thisdressing is typically required for several weeks, the patient may needto change the dressing without assistance. Thus, it is desirable thatthe means used to secure the dressing be easy to put on and take off. Itis also desirable that the means used to secure the dressing becomfortable, without significantly chafing the skin or trapping moistureagainst the skin, and easily adjustable to achieve proper fit.

[0002] One means of securing a dressing involves the use of nonadhesivebandages that encircle the chest of a patient. Such bandages typicallyare made of an elastic material for even distribution of pressure.Although some elastic materials breathe to a limited extent, they tendto entrap significantly more moisture against the skin as compared to abreathable material such as cotton, gauze, flannel, or other fabrics.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,270 (Chase et al.) describes a bandage thatincludes a main body panel formed of a nonelastic, breathable material.The main body panel is configured to encircle the torso of a person, theends of the main body panel being located adjacent one side of theperson's body when the bandage is applied. An elastic member is attachedat one side of the nonelastic main body panel. When the bandage isapplied, the main body panel is wrapped around the chest of the personand secured on the side of the person's body on which surgery was notperformed (assuming the person has undergone only a single mastectomy).However, such a bandage does not typically evenly distribute thepressure.

[0004] What is needed is a surgical binder that is breathable andgenerally easy to apply and remove, and is preferably capable of evenlydistributing pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a surgical binder that overlies awound dressing or bandage and serves to hold them in place. The surgicalbinder includes a main body portion that is made of a breathablematerial at least a portion of which is elasticized using gathering,elastic stitching. Preferably, prior to elasticizing, the breathablematerial is substantially nonelastic (i.e., substantiallynonstretchable). More preferably, the gathering, elastic stitching issubstantially uniformly distributed over the entire surface of thematerial forming the main body portion. This allows for the applicationof evenly distributed pressure for gentle but firm compression to awound. Significantly, the binder provides increased comfort withdecreased bruising and swelling. Preferred embodiments of the binder donot significantly chafe the skin or trap a substantial amount ofmoisture against the skin. Moreover, the binder has an elegant yetinexpensive construction, which can be quite attractive andnonmedical-looking.

[0006] The binder of the present invention can be used on a patient whohas undergone a mastectomy, breast biopsy, breast reduction, breastenlargement, reconstruction, implantation, or other type of chestsurgery. It should be understood, however, that the present invention isnot limited to such use but may be employed to apply pressure over othertypes of wounds and to other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, forexample.

[0007] The binder comprises an elasticized main body portion formed ofbreathable material with gathering, elastic stitching (often referred toas shirring) therein, and a fastening system attached to the main bodyportion. The main body portion is configured to encircle the torso of apatient. Typically, the elasticized main body portion is elongated withan inner side (i.e., that which is in contact with the patient), anouter side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends. The fastenersystem is preferably attached to the ends of the main body portion. Whenthe binder is applied, the elasticized main body portion is wrappedaround the chest of the patient and secured. The ends of the elasticizedmain body portion can form a closure located at any location on thetorso of a patient. For example, it can be either at the front oradjacent one side of the patient's body, which enables the patient toapply and remove the binder. Alternatively, the binder can be configuredto be closed at the back of the patient's body. Optionally, at least onestrap can be attached to the elasticized main body portion to hold thebinder in place.

[0008] The fastener system preferably includes a hook and loop fastener.This fastener allows a wide range of adjustability to accommodatevariations in swelling and is easy to manipulate. Typically, the hookand loop fastener is attached at the ends of the main body portion suchthat half of the fastener (e.g., the hook portion) is attached at oneend on the inner side of the main body portion and the other half (e.g.,the loop portion) is attached at the other end on the outer side of theelasticized main body portion. When the binder is applied, the innerside of one end of the elasticized main body portion overlaps the outerside of the other end of the elasticized main body portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical binder in accordancewith the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a surgical binder in accordance with thepresent invention when the binder is not in use and is laid flat withthe inner side facing upward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the surgical binder of the presentinvention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Surgical binder10 includes an elasticized main body portion 12 having a generallyelongate rectangular shape when laid flat, as shown in FIG. 2. Althoughthe elasticized main body portion 12 is shown as being generallyrectangular in shape, it may be formed in a variety of other shapes,such as an elongated curved band. As long as it is configured toencircle the torso of a patient and is sufficient to cover the woundarea and apply adequate pressure, the binder can be of a variety ofshapes.

[0012] The elasticized main body portion 12 is made of a breathablematerial. At least a portion of the breathable material is elasticizedusing gathering, elastic stitching (often referred to as shirring). InFIGS. 1 and 2, this stitching is preferably in the form of a pluralityof rows 14. The breathable material may or may not be elastic (i.e.,stretchable) prior to being elasticized. Preferably, it is substantiallynonelastic material prior to being elasticized. As used herein,“elasticizing” the material means that elasticity and stretchability areimparted to the material as a result of the gathers formed by thegathering, elastic stitching.

[0013] As used herein, a breathable material permits passage of airthrough it, such as from the atmosphere to the skin and wound area. Asused herein, a substantially nonelastic material is one that does notstretch a significant amount beyond its normal (nonelasticized) size.That is, although there may be some small amount of stretch in thenonelastic material prior to it being elasticized, preferably it doesnot stretch, particularly in the longitudinal direction (of the mainbody portion). Such substantially nonelastic material is used inpreferred embodiments of the surgical binder of the present invention.

[0014] A wide variety of materials can provide breathability. Forexample, cotton, gauze, flannel, muslin, polyester, and blends thereofcan be used. Preferred fabrics are those that are washable. If desired,the fabrics chosen can have various prints or designs to provide anattractive nonmedical-looking binder. Various widths of fabric may beused, preferably the fabric is at least about 18-24 inches (about 45-61centimeters) wide, such that the main body portion 12 can be made out ofone length of fabric. It should be understood, however, that the mainbody portion 12 can include a plurality of panels of fabric sewntogether.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the elasticized main body portion 12has a generally rectangular shape with two opposing edges 16 and 18parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion 12, an innerside 20, an outer side 22, and two opposing ends, shown as a first end24 and a second end 26. Typically, the elasticized main body portion 12is made from a single layer of material, although it may be preferableto use two or more layers of material in order to provide greatersupport. The different layers are typically arranged so that theyoverlap and are fastened together, e.g., by sewing, along theirperimeters, thereby providing a lined main body portion, for example.

[0016] Regardless of the specific shape of the elasticized main bodyportion 12, its length (i.e., the dimension from the first end 24 to thesecond end 26) is less than the circumference of the patient's torso,but can be stretched to be equal to or greater than the circumference ofthe patient's torso. Preferably, the elasticized main body portion 12can be stretched by at least about 30% of its length, and often by asmuch as about 100%. Thus, the length of the breathable material prior tobeing elasticized (and hence, gathered) is greater than thecircumference of the patient's torso. The binder can be made in avariety of sizes (e.g., small, medium, large), each size accommodating arange of different chest dimensions. Typically, the length of thematerial after being elasticized is about 23 inches (58 cm) for an extrasmall size, about 25 inches (64 cm) for a small size, about 27 inches(69 cm) for a medium size, and about 29 inches (74 cm) for a large size.

[0017] The gathering, elastic stitching imparts stretchability to themain body portion 12 of surgical binder 10. Thus, the main body portionbecomes elasticized such that it is stretchable and conformable to thetorso of the patient. This enables easy adjustment of the binder toproperly fit around the patient's torso and ensures that gentle but firmpressure is applied. Significantly, this method of imparting elasticityor stretchability to the binder allows for the application of gentlepressure that typically does not restrict a patient's respiration.

[0018] In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pluralityof rows 14 of gathering, elastic stitching, which are each shown to becontinuous, are generally parallel to the opposing edges 16 and 18 andgenerally equally spaced apart (e.g., about 1 cm apart). Thisconfiguration is not a necessary requirement, as long as the main bodyportion 12 can be stretched to conform to a patient's torso. Preferably,the stitching allows for the main body portion 12 to be stretched andreturned substantially (and often completely) to its original shapeunder the recovery force of the elastic stitching after being stretched.Thus, the gathering, elastic stitching can be in the form ofintersecting rows, random stitching forming lines of loops, circles, andthe like, or a regular array of stitching in the form of various shapes.The lines or rows of stitching may be continuous or discontinuous, andmay be formed from a variety of lengths of stitches. In particularlypreferred embodiments, the elasticized main body portion 12 hasgathering, elastic stitching substantially uniformly distributed overthe entire surface of the material forming the main body portion 12. Itshould be understood however, that only a portion (e.g., at least about50%) of the main body portion need to include gathering, elasticstitching for sufficient stretch. This elasticized stitching (shirring)can be imparted to the breathable material using well known techniques.As an example of how random shirring is applied to fabric, see Ruddy,American Sewing Guild Notions, January 1997.

[0019] Surgical binder 10 is positioned on a patient's torso so that itcloses at the front, back, or side of the patient's torso, although itcan close at other locations on the patient's body. The fastening systemused to form the closure preferably includes a hook and loop fastenersuch as that available under the trademark VELCRO. Alternatively, oradditionally, other conventional fasteners may also be used, such assnaps, tabs, ties, zippers, hook-and-eyes, etc. The fastening system ispreferably attached at the ends of the main body portion. For example,as shown in FIG. 2, which is a plan view of the binder laid open withthe inner side 20 facing upward, a strip of hook material 30, preferablyabout 3-4 centimeters wide, is provided at the first end 24 along theheight of the inner side 20 of the elasticized main body portion 12 anda strip of loop material 32, preferably about 3-4 centimeters wide, isprovided at the second end 26 on the outer side 22 of the elasticizedmain body portion 12.

[0020] Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred configuration of a hookand loop fastener, the hook and loop material may be cut in otherconfigurations. For example, on the inner side 20 of the elasticizedmain body portion 12 at the first end 24 can be provided one or morehorizontal strips or tabs of hook material positioned vertically thatcooperate with the loop material 32 to secure the binder 10 closed. Asanother example, a strip of loop material, preferably about 3-4centimeters wide, may be provided along the height of the inner side 20of the elasticized main body portion 12 at the first end 24. On theouter side 22 of the elasticized main body portion 12 at the second end24 may be provided two or more spaced apart strips of hook material,preferably about 3-4 centimeters wide, running along the height of theelasticized main body portion 12.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, optionally, the surgical binder 10 mayfurther be provided with at least one strap, and preferably, a pair ofconventional adjustable shoulder straps 36 as is well known in the art.If one strap is used, it can be attached at the front of the main bodyportion 12 (“front” being defined when positioned on a patient) andpositioned around the back of the neck of the patient. In a preferredembodiment, the straps 36 are attached at the upper edge 16 of theelasticized main body portion 12.

[0022] To apply surgical binder 10, a patient or healthcare providerarranges the binder 10 so the first and second ends 24 and 26 of thebinder overlap and are located at a desired location on the body. If thebinder is provided with shoulder straps 36, the straps 36 are placedover the shoulders. A patient should be able to apply the binder withoutassistance and with minimal pain or discomfort. Furthermore, once thebinder is applied, it is relatively comfortable.

[0023] The complete disclosures of the patents, patent documents, andpublications cited herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety as if each were individually incorporated. Variousmodifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit ofthis invention. It should be understood that this invention is notintended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments andexamples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments arepresented by way of example only with the scope of the inventionintended to be limited only by the claims set forth herein as follows.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical binder comprising: an elasticized mainbody portion configured to encircle the torso of a patient, the mainbody portion comprising breathable material and gathering, elasticstitching therein; and a fastener system attached to the main bodyportion.
 2. The surgical binder of claim 1 wherein the elasticized mainbody portion is elongated and generally rectangular in shape having aninner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends. 3.The surgical binder of claim 2 wherein the fastener system is attachedto the two opposing ends of the main body portion.
 4. The surgicalbinder of claim 3 wherein the fastener system comprises a hook and loopfastener.
 5. The surgical binder of claim 1 further comprising at leastone strap attached to the main body portion for holding the binder inplace.
 6. The surgical binder of claim 1 wherein the gathering, elasticstitching is in the form of a plurality of rows.
 7. The surgical binderof claim 1 wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of arandom pattern.
 8. The surgical binder of claim 1 wherein the fastenersystem comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 9. The surgical binder ofclaim 1 wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic. 10.A surgical binder comprising: an elasticized main body portioncomprising breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering,elastic stitching therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion iselongated with an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and twoopposing ends; and a fastener system attached to the two opposing endsof the main body portion.
 11. The surgical binder of claim 10 whereinthe breathable material is substantially nonelastic.
 12. A surgicalbinder comprising: an elasticized main body portion comprisingsubstantially nonelastic, breathable material and a plurality of rows ofgathering, elastic stitching substantially uniformly distributedtherein; wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated andgenerally rectangular in shape with an inner side, an outer side, twogenerally parallel opposing edges, and two generally parallel opposingends; and a fastener system comprising a hook and loop fastener attachedto the two generally parallel opposing ends of the main body portion.13. A method of binding a patient after surgery comprising applying asurgical binder comprising: an elasticized main body portion configuredto encircle the torso of a patient, the main body portion comprisingbreathable material and gathering, elastic stitching therein; and afastener system attached to the main body portion.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated andgenerally rectangular in shape having an inner side, an outer side, twoopposing edges, and two opposing ends.
 15. The method of claim 13wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of a pluralityof rows.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the gathering, elasticstitching is in the form of a random pattern.
 17. The method of claim 13wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic.
 18. Amethod of binding a patient after surgery comprising applying a surgicalbinder comprising: an elasticized main body portion comprisingbreathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering, elasticstitching therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion iselongated with an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and twoopposing ends; and a fastener system attached to the two opposing endsof the main body portion.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein thebreathable material is substantially nonelastic.
 20. A method of bindinga patient after surgery comprising applying a surgical bindercomprising: an elasticized main body portion comprising substantiallynonelastic, breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering,elastic stitching substantially uniformly distributed therein; whereinthe elasticized main body portion is elongated and generally rectangularin shape with an inner side, an outer side, two generally parallelopposing edges, and two generally parallel opposing ends; and a fastenersystem comprising a hook and loop fastener attached to the two generallyparallel opposing ends of the main body portion.